JVM Technologies: Java, Kotlin, and Scala

To those starting in the industry or looking to expand their knowledge, here are the insights I have seen in the JVM market.

In this post, we'll explore three major players in the JVM ecosystem: Java, Kotlin, and Scala. As a Java (JVM) recruiter, I've seen the landscape of JVM languages evolve significantly from its beginnings as the enabler of Java portability. We'll look at their current versions, primary use cases, and what the future might hold for developers in this space.

Java

Current Version: Java 23 (as of September 2024)

Java, the original JVM language, continues to be a powerhouse in enterprise software development. With its "write once, run anywhere" philosophy, Java remains a go-to choice for building robust, scalable applications.

Main Uses:

Enterprise-level backend systems
Big data processing with frameworks like Apache Hadoop
Web application development with frameworks Spring and Springboot.
From Fintech and SAAS to Geospatial data, the domains that use Java continue to grow

Java's strength lies in its stability, extensive ecosystem, and vast community support.

Kotlin

Current Version: Kotlin 2.0.0 (as of September 24)

Kotlin has gained significant traction within development. It is now being used in AI and ML search functions.

Main Uses:

Server-side development
Cross-platform mobile development (Kotlin Multiplatform)
DSL (Domain-Specific Language) creation
Kotlin's count and filter methods it's easier to work with probabilities and frequencies of various elements in an array. Filtering is also useful when you are pre-processing data for an NLP model

Kotlin offers modern language features while maintaining full interoperability with Java, making it an attractive option for both new projects and gradual migration of existing Java codebases.

Scala

Current Version: Scala 3.5.1 (as of September 2024)

Scala, which stands for "Scalable Language," combines object-oriented and functional programming paradigms.

Main Uses:

Big data processing with Apache Spark
Low latency
Building concurrent and distributed systems
Web development with frameworks like Play
Financial and scientific computing

Scala's powerful type system and functional programming capabilities make it well-suited for complex, high-performance applications.

What we hear in the market:

Java: The enthusiastic embrace of Java 21 demonstrates the release's quality and relevance to modern development practices. This has been seen by the number of businesses that have smoothly moved from Java 17 to 21. With emerging trends like AI/ML, microservices, and cloud computing, Java continues to evolve.

Kotlin: Kotlin is poised to expand beyond Android and server-side development, with growing adoption in AI and machine learning projects, advanced search technologies, and data science applications. Its multiplatform capabilities are expected to broaden, enabling more code sharing across mobile, web, and desktop. As it evolves, Kotlin will likely strengthen its position as a versatile language for modern software development needs, including IoT and embedded systems.

Scala:Scala is poised to play a pivotal role in the evolving landscape of big data, AI, and distributed computing. The language's concise syntax and powerful type system are expected to attract more developers seeking to write cleaner, more maintainable code for complex applications. Scala's seamless Java interoperability positions it to bridge legacy systems with cutting-edge technologies, making it an invaluable asset in enterprise environments undergoing digital transformation.

Summary:

Software engineers looking to enhance their career prospects should consider upskilling in Java 21. Those interested in diverse opportunities, particularly in cross-platform development or emerging tech fields, should explore Kotlin. For roles in big data, AI, or enterprises bridging legacy and modern systems, investing in Scala skills could be highly beneficial.

If you are looking to scale a team or get started within the JVM ecosystem, please reach out to have a conversation. I am constantly amazed by the ingenuity, use cases, and domains that continue to leverage the JVM.